Fastening for horse-blankets



(No Model.)

P. A. LOOK.

FASTENING FOR HORSE-BLANKETS.

Patented S'e'pt. 15,1886.

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NITED STATES PATENT Fries.

FREDRICK A. LOOK, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

FASTENING FOR HORSE-BLANKETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326,228, dated September 15, 1885.

Application filed February 2, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

stitched to the blanket, and to each was at tached, respectively, the strap and buckle. Aside from the inconvenience of this mode of fastening, it would not stand the necessary strain, and would soon pull away from the surface of the blanket.

My invention consists of two metal plates situated on the outer surface of the blanket, which are attached to and supported by two metal plates on the reversed side of the same. One of the outer plates forms a snap-hook, and to the other is permanently attached the connecting device; or both of the outer plates may be snap-hooks, and the connecting device adapted to be attached and detached from one or the other, as may be most convenient.

To more fully understand my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon, forming part of this specification.

Figure 1 represents a plan view of the device, and also a section of two corners of a blanket. Fig. Zrepresents the same reversed. Fig. 8 represents an old device. Fig. 4 is a view of a modified chain. Fig. 5 represents a modification of the device.

Its construction and operation are as follows:

A A represent two corners of a blanket;B, snap-plate; C, chain-plate;D D, supportingplates; a, connecting-chain; b 0, connectinglinks; d, tongue; e, thumb-plate; f, rivets.

The outer plates, B C, may be constructed of any desired shape. In the drawings they are represented in the form of a shield. This form it is thought will be as strong in proportion to the surface it covers as any shape that could be devised.

The re-enforce or supporting 'plates D D (see Fig. 2) may also vary in form from that shown. They are represented spider shape. The ends of the fingers g are provided with the necessary holes to receive the rivets f, the holes in the several fingers corresponding in position to the holes in the outer plates. The form of the several plates thus described give the necessary strength or holding power without unnecessary Waste of material.

The chain a (see Fig. l) is attached to the plate C atthe lowest point or extreme end, h, and the snap-hook t of plate B is also situated at the lowest point. (See also Fig. 5.) The disadvantage of attaching the connecting device at any other point is shown in the old style of fastening, as seen at Fig. 3,which represents the two leather plates E E stitched to the blanket, the strap and buckle attached to the center of said plates. Thus the outer half must stand all the strain. Consequently it will soon give way at the point 1, as shown, andwhen the stitches are once started, the entire plate is soon pulled off. The device, as shown at Figs. 1 and 5, connected as stated, will distribute the strain evenly over the whole surface of the plate.

The two stirrup-links b 0, (see Fig. 1,) at tached to the chain a, are intended to engage with the snap-hook i of plate B for a long or short hitch, as may be required. The number of these links may be increased, if necessary, or one only used. Thus in Fig.5 there are three stirrup-links, c 0', connected with the snap-plates B B. The link b hanging from the center of chain a, said link can be used for a short hitch in either snap-plate. In place of these links, the chain a could be made with links large enough (see Fig. 4) to engage with the snap-hooks; but the device as shown at Figs. 1 and 5 is preferable.

In the device as shown at Fig. 5,where the two outer plates, B B, are snap-plates, the chain when detached from one plate will remain attached to the other, and thus it will answer the same purpose as the device shown at Fig. 1, with this advantage, however, in

its favor, that a snap-hook is always ready at hand on whichever side of the horse one may be situated.

As a matter of economy, leather plates might be substituted for the two supporting plates D D, Fig. 2, in which case it'would be necessary that they should cover full as much surface as the outer plate, and might be used to support the chain-plate C, Fig. 1; but for the snap-platesa firmer backing or support would be preferable, as in case the snap-plate is trod on-an accident very liable to occurit would then operate to prevent the tongue of the snap being forced down far enough so as to destroy its elasticity.

Near the extremity of the tongue d, and

forming part of the same, is the broad thumbplate e, which enables the thumb to be readily placed on the right spot, even in the dark, giving also a broad surface to apply the needed pressure when the tongue does not readily yield. It also operates to prevent the connecting -link slipping up the tongue when the chain is slack.

The device as above described forms a neat, handy, and durable fastening. The upper and under plates, riveted as they are firmly together, with the blanket between them, limit their holding power to the strength of the blanket, and not, as heretofore, to the stitching.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a blanket-fastening device, the conibination, substantially as described, of the chain-plate, the connecting links attached thereto, and the snap-plate adapted to engage and hold said links, said plates rigidly secured to and reenforced by plates on the reversed side of the blanket, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the chain-plate G and its re-enforoing plate D, riveted thereto, chain a, secured to its lower end and having links b c, with snap-plate B and its re'enforcing plate D, riveted thereto, said snap-plate having snaphook z at its lower end to engage with said links, substantially as described.

3. A blanket-fastening device consisting of the snap-plates B B and a suitable connecting device, said snapplates rigidly secured to and re-enforced by plates on the reversed side of the blanket, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described and set forth.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, this 26th day of January, A. D. 1885.

FREDK. A. LOOK.-

Witnesses:

ALFRED B. BEERs, J. CHARLES GORMLEY. 

